Some Helpful Organizations & Resources for Developing a Christian Perspective in Politics

http://www.cpjustice.org/
A thoughtful organization working on foundational political issues intentionally from a Christian worldview. Evangelically minded yet ecumenical, principled, and nonpartisan. Very well respected.

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2000/013/11.83.html
A wonderful little article by our friend Lauren Winner from Christianity Today called “Policy Wonks for Christ,” which is a story about the Center for Public Justice's important Civitas program for serious poli-sci grad students. Read it and cheer!

http://www.nae.net/images/civic_responsibility.pdf
The brand new draft document on civic duty (“For the Health of the Nation”) written by a diverse team, published by the National Association of Evangelicals. Very well done, with invitations for comment. Print it out and get talkin'.

http://www.esa-online.org/
Evangelicals for Social Action invites us to solid theology and progressive action, evangelism and holistic mission. An inspiring resource, founded by Ron Sider. Sign up for their weekly E-pistle.

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2003/012/2.40.html
A wonderful speech given at the 30th anniversary of ESA's founding, by historian Joel Carpenter. A must-read, reprint from Christianity Today.

http://www.bread.org/
Bread for the World is a nonpartisan, ecumenical Christian citizen's movement to effect policy changes on behalf of the poor. Very, very helpful — essential for any caring citizen. Get involved!

http://www.sojo.net/
The online presence of the Sojourners movement and magazine. Christian social concern of a somewhat liberal persuasion, with good Biblical and theological foundations. Sign up for their weekly update, Sojomail. There are plenty of links, audio feeds and other cool stuff on this site.

http://www.sojo.net/index.cfm?action=special.election_issues
What an incredible resource! Sojourners has collated various articles and linked them by election issue topic. Faith-based reflections and research on a host of issues, from health care to tax reform, foreign policy to abortion, immigration issues to trade policies. Even if you don't fully agree with their views, this is a gold-mind of thoughtfully-arranged articles, ideas, and resources.

http://www.vote-smart.org/program_about_pvs.php
A completely nonpartisan source for informed voters. Very thorough.

http://www.commoncause.org/
A classic nonpartisan organization for electoral reform.

http://byzantinecalvinist.blogspot.com/
I reviewed David Koyzis important book, Political Visions & Illusions; this is his fascinating blogsite.

http://www.becketfund.org/other/DC-Conf2002/GuinessPaper.html
A rare and wonderful speech, "Truth and Freedom," given by a brilliant evangelical at a meeting discussing religious liberty amongst Christians, Jews and Muslims. Do a web-search on Os Guinness and come up with oodles of other great reviews, news reports, and articles.

http://www.catapultmagazine.com/main/
Young neo-Calvinists making a feisty Kuyperian statement for cultural engagement.

http://www.feministsforlife.org/
If you don't know Feminists for Life, visit their very informative website.

http://www.cpj.ca
One of my favorite Christian political agencies, these Canadian reformers are thoughtful and passionate, scholarly and activist, principled and effective. Allow plenty of time to browse their various sections, studying their inspiring work. Don't miss the “summer reading” recommendations, which include very informative links (including a brief Bible study on peacemaking by our friend Mark VanderVennen, which is very insightful). Be prepared to be engaged, challenged and provoked to action.

http://www.afsc.org/
One of my favorite lobbying organizations, with helpful data, legislative updates and prayer concerns for a variety of important issues and reforms. From a nonviolent Quaker perspective.

http://www.eppc.org/default.asp
A semi-scholarly, widely ecumenical, conservative think-tank. Those of evangelical interest will want to check their interesting research on evangelical faith and public life (click on programs, keeping an eye for Mike Cromartie).

http://www.jesusradicals.com/
A hip page of Christian anarchism, a call to radical action, serious discipleship and resistance to politics-as-usual. Read with a very big grain of salt; a massive collection of links, author recommendations and sites. While we don't agree with much here, it is still really interesting and informative.

http://brtom.org/wb/berry.html
I noted Wendell Berry's new Citizenship Papers. This is the classic website for all things Berry. Do a few web searches and learn more about his work, and his many fans, admirers and co-laborers in the vineyard.

http://www.oriononline.org/pages/om/03-2om/Berry.html
A wonderfully-done online journal of nature writing, political reflections and thoughtful ruminations on place, conservation and stewardly care.

http://pennfuture.org/
For those who aren't from Pennsylvania, visit here anyway, as it is model of State-level political activism, environmental advocacy, and good-natured citizenship work. God bless ‘em.

http://www.pfm.org/Content/NavigationMenu/The_Wilberforce_Forum/
Learn_More7/About_The_Forum/About_The_Wilberforce_Forum.htm
Chuck Colson has come a long, long way from his pagan years with Nixon. This is a moderate/conservative Christian think-tank that equips folks to think critically about the culture, politics, social ethics and what Wilberforce called “the reformation of manners.” Very helpful information, even when I disagree. Check out his Breakpoint radio broadcast for concise messages on issues of the day.

http://crc.sa.utoronto.ca/articles/Kingdoms.html
I wanted to point readers to the many good articles at Brian Walsh's homepage, and this Biblical study on how Jesus's portrayal of the Kingdom in His parable might influence our political discourse seemed appropriate. Browse around others of his as they are all very, very useful in developing a Biblically-driven worldview. (And look for Walsh and Sylvia Keesmaat's extraordinary forthcoming political study of Colossians and empire, Colossians Remixed, coming in November.)

http://www.esa-online.org/pdfs/rons_address.pdf
A lovely concluding sermon by social activist, ESA founder, holistic mission guru and Christian political thinker and Hearts & Minds fan, Ron Sider, entitled “I Am Not a Social Activist.”

August 2004